National Day, to be celebrated tomorrow, will enhance the determination of Malaysians from all walks of life to further strengthen the unity between races in the country, which is in line with the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI.
With the theme “Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope), what is significant about this year’s National Day is that it is the 66th National Day celebration and Putrajaya, which is the federal government’s administrative centre is now under the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
This year's National Day celebration will be the fifth hosted by Putrajaya where various performances, air shows and parades will be held to fuel the patriotic spirit.
It will also be the last National Day celebration under the reign of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah whose term ends on Jan 30, 2024.
Tomorrow's glorious National Day event will also translate the Malaysia MADANI concept mooted by Anwar in terms of the dance and singing performances, as well as acrobatic acts by the security forces and the parade.
A special 30-minute Malaysia MADANI performance will be the curtain-raiser for this year's celebration, which is targeting to attract 100,000 visitors. The performance will start after the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang and reciting of the Rukun Negara pledge.
The beat of the 400 drums and kompang, as well as the ‘Achun Spinning Drum, which is making its first appearance, by drummers from various races, is expected to rock Dataran Putrajaya tomorrow.
Their performance will be accompanied by 762 dancers from the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) and 600 school students to enliven the celebration.
Two 'wow' performances that will surely amaze visitors at the special show are the parachute event by six members of the VAT69 Commando of the Royal Malaysia Police and the motorcycle jump across 66 Royal Enfield motorcycles by the Army Red Warrior Motorcycle Acrobatic Team.
Unlike in previous years, this year, the Unity Contingent will comprise 400 staff of various ethnicities from the Ministry of National Unity, as well as university students.
The parade, with the largest participation by public contingent, which symbolises the emphasis on the unity of Malaysians in line with the theme of the celebration, will showcase the clothing of the various races in the country, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Siamese and the Orang Asli in addition to the various ethnics in Sabah and Sarawak such as Kadazan, Dusun, Bajau, Sungai, Iban, Bidayuh and Melanau.
Their participation is under the Malaysia MADANI Unity Contingent which is one of the 10 contingent components, which include Nationhood, Economy, Banking, Telecommunications, Creative Industry and Broadcasting, Community, National Sports, National Well-being and Security.
Children’s favourites are also not forgotten, whereby they will be in awe with the presence of animated characters such as Agent Ali, Mechamato, Boboiboy Omar and Hana, Keluang Man and Tiong Man participating in the parade under the Creative and Broadcasting Industry Contingent.
Six tracker dogs from the dog unit of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) that were used in the search and rescue operations for victims of disasters such as the landslides in Batang Kali, Selangor, last year, will also make a special appearance during the parade.
Meanwhile, more than 100 military assets belonging to the three branches of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), namely the Army, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RUDF) will also be displayed to the public, such as trailers carrying missiles and cannons, as well as the Gempita and Adnan armoured cars.
Air formation performances by RMAF planes and jets will also fill the Putrajaya airspace with the roaring sound of Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jet engines and Hornet F/A 18D jets.
The participation of more than 19,000 participants in the National Day parade will end with a performance by the Bunkface band singing the Malaysia MADANI live accompanied by 1,800 dancers, followed by the Jalur Gemilang song as the closing of the nation’s annual event.
Those attending the event tomorrow are encouraged to wear batik to show their support for the local batik industry and they are also advised to use public transport for a smooth journey
Source: BERNAMA News Agency